EU commissioner says that Serbia must do more political reforms and improve relations with Kosovo

EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule has stated that, by fulfilling its obligations to the Hague Tribunal, Serbia has got closer to the EU candidate status.

However, said he, Belgrade must commit to other political reforms and improve relations with Kosovo before receiving the green light.

“I think the arrest (of Goran Hadžić) is splendid news and I think what is really great is that Serbs have delivered on their promise,” Fule told Radio Free Europe.

However, Fule stated that, with Belgrade’s cooperation with the Hague largely resolved and internal reforms underway, the main unresolved issue is Serbia’s frosty relationship with Kosovo.

The dialogue has so far not touched on the thorniest issue, the status of Kosovo, and Fule maintains that this is something which will need to happen before Serbia becomes an EU member.

“Serbia cannot become a member of the European Union without this issue being solved, beyond any doubt. It is up to Belgrade and Priština’s negotiations, with the assistance of the European Union, to bring such a solution,” he added.